29/04/2013 East Midlands Today

Chancellor banged the drum for business on another pre-election

visit to Derbyshire. Talking to the business owner here, he tells me

that the government economic policies are helping his business

and helping him employ people. We are with Leon Haslam in hospital

as he recovers from his crash at the weekend.

And could the success of musicians like Jake Aga be a sign of a rapidly

growing music industry in First tonight - a murder trial opens

with grisly claims that a former boxer was murdered and cut up by his

own carer. Shaun Cummins' body was dismembered

and put in the freezer at his home. Our reporter Luke Hanrahan was at

Leicester Crown Court for the start of Thomas Dunkley's murder trial.

In his heyday in the 1990s, Shaun Cummins was at the top of his game,

WBA light middleweight champion in 1994. He retired from the

competitive ring the following year but in 2004 he was involved in a

motorcycle accident. He was left paralysed from the chest down and

virtually bed-ridden. After that, he needed care at home. And it was that

home that became a crime scene last year. The former boxer was last seen

alive by community nurses on September first. 11 days later they

still hadn't heard from him. That triggered a search. Police

discovered Shaun Cummins' body had been cut up into ten pieces and put

into freezers. �25,000 had been taken from his bank accounts and the

trust fund set up to pay for his care. In the early morning, on the

northbound carriageway of the M1 near Wakefield, Sean Cummins's

informal carer Thomas Dunkley was arrested. The prosecution QC said in

court today that having killed Shaun Cummins, he left the body where it

was for a few days before it again to decompose. Dunkley embarked on a

plan to try and cover up what he had done in a callous and deliberate

way. The court heard that, using the ex-boxer's money, he went out and

bought a chainsaw, gloves, overalls, mask and goggles. It was claimed he

also used a bin incinerator to burn evidence. Thomas Dunkley denies

murder. But he had admitted admits preventing the lawful burial of a

body and four counts of fraud. The trial continues.

The Chancellor paid another visit to the region today ahead of the local

elections on Thursday - and denied the Conservatives are running scared

of UKIP. George Osborne also defended the

coalition's record on the amount of regional growth fund aid handed out

here - the lowest in the country. Mike O'Sullivan reports.

From 4x4 to Formula one. The Chancellor, arriving at a

manufacturing form in tray card that supplies Carbon fibre parts for F1

cars. UKIP are fielding many candidates in the elections. Are you

running scared of them? When local people focus on the choice on

Thursday, they will say that actually it is the conservatives

that have frozen the council tax, invested in apprenticeships which

you see here. The Chancellor was keen to promote the coalition's

track record on jobs and growth, but the East Midlands hasn't done well

when it comes to the government's regional growth fund. The West

Midlands has done best, with �427 million, that our region is bottom

of the pile. �117 million awarded. This company is doing well. It is

hoping to expand to a new factory with the help of some of the

regional growth fund money that has come our way. We need to get these

politicians up to Derby, up to the region, so they can see things for

real. And then we have got to be brave enough to ask for money.

George Osborne defended the government's record on spending in

the East Midlands. The coalition has invested hugely in the region in

many factoring, apprenticeships, in small and large businesses like

Rolls-Royce in Derby, we are absolutely committed to the future

of what the East Midlands is good at, high-tech manufacturing.

applicants have applied for around 40 jobs in this factory, a sign that

some parts of the economy motoring ahead.

Coming up - a look back at a stunning weekend of football. For

Forest - it goes down to the wire. Our cameras were in the dressing

room as Billy Davies praised the Reds' performance against Milwall.

Also, I will be finding out why top designers are making our region

their home. spectacular crash during a practice

race in Holland at the weekend. The Derbyshire rider had pioneering

surgery to repair two breaks in his leg. But he told our reporter Sarah

Teale he hopes to be back racing within just a few weeks.

Reliving the horror crash which landed him in hospital. Leon Haslam

came off his bike during a practice lap in Holland on Saturday.

should have been an easy walk away crash, it ended up being a disaster.

He was flown by air ambulance to Nottingham. Trauma surgeons operated

on his double leg fracture last night. The last few days have

definitely been hard work. I have been airlifted back from Holland,

the trauma of the crash, but so far so good, back on the mend now.

surgeons used a row to be new technique, screwing a long nail

inside his bone from need to ankle. He has got a clean break through his

tibia, but it is quite close to the joint, which makes surgery for this

fracture difficult. He wants to get out as soon as possible, just like

anyone, but a nail is so much stronger than a plate and the

incisions are so much smaller, you can get back to his normal function

of not quicker. Leon will be back on his feet again straightaway but

should be back on his bike within three to four weeks. In fact he is

hoping to recover in time for his homecoming race at Donington at the

end of May. It is less than four weeks from now, a bit of a tall

order but a lot of physio treatment to get back on the bike. If all goes

well he hopes to be discharged from hospital tomorrow.

A man has been jailed for life for killing his friend in the grounds of

a library in Derbyshire. Michael Wayne Carroll denied the

manslaughter of Alexander Blick, from Matlock Bath, but was found

guilty following a seven-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court. Mr

Blick's body was found by a local resident in the grounds of Matlock

library in October 2011. He'd suffered a severe head injury.

�129 million will be spent on improving school buildings in

Leicester. The money is part of the plans to rebuild every secondary

school in the city by 2015. Funding for the redevelopment now stands at

�350 million and was approved by the government. Babbington College is

one of the schools to benefit. It's getting a new building in Beaumont

Leys. Next tonight, a council's been told

it failed to safeguard the welfare of two young sisters in its care

over a four year period. An investigation by the local

government ombudsman found the children suffered significant

neglect. Nottingham City Council's been asked to review its policies.

Jo Healey has more. The council allowed the girls to

live with their mother but she had severe learning difficulties. The

report told how the eldest girl wore the same close to nursery every day

and smelt of urine. The youngest suffered pressure sores on her feet

from being left in her cot. Girls grandmother wanted to look after

them and complained to the ombudsman about the council. The ombudsman

found Nottingham City Council failed to safeguard the children. They

suffered significant neglect and physical injuries, and the council

needed to review its policies for handling complex neglect cases.

recognise that councils across the country conduct very difficult cases

in difficult circumstances and I appreciate that it is important for

children to stay with their mother as long as possible but also it is

important that councils recognise the needs of the torture and come

first. Earlier I spoke to the man in charge of children's services.

apologised to the girls and they grandmother but said they tried to

keep girls with their mothers. need to see what support can be put

in. The children did suffer in this case, that is true, and at the end

we had to take the action we did and eventually they were placed with

their grandparents. They are with them now. So you accept they were

failings? They were, and we have improved significantly since 2005.

He confirmed they will be paying the recommended compensation of �5,000

to each child and �1000 to the grandmother. She now finally looks

after the girls and they are thriving.

It's emerged this afternoon that the owner of one of the Peak District's

leading hotel's has started the process of putting the business into

liquidation. Last week, we reported that a couple's �5,000 wedding faced

ruin because the Izaak Walton Hotel at Dovedale remained closed. Now a

businessman's confirmed the hotel owes him nearly �10,000. James

the famous Izaak Walton Hotel would normally be open. But so far this

year, it has remained closed. Jeff told us he had paid �5,000 up front

to get married there this weekend and had to change the venue at the

last minute. The Izaak Walton Hotel is a far cry from last year when its

owner was telling the local paper that he was also going to reopen the

Green man hotel in Ashbourne. were told he was 99% certain the

keys would be in his hand within a matter of days and next week he

expect everybody that wasn't the case, the sale had fallen through at

the 11th hour and it was pretty much it, we didn't get much more

communication from him. businessman says he is owed nearly

�10,000 will stop in 2011 Thomas stated on the tenancy of a third

hotel. But the Melbourne hotel's owner says he failed to pay his

rent. His promises were never forthcoming, and eventually we had

to take him to court and secure judgement on him for a date which is

around the figure of �10,000. It is now secured as a charge on the Izaak

Walton Hotel. I went to a residential address in the team

shirt, but there was no answer. I went to the Izaak Walton Hotel, get

no answer. This afternoon, and Nottingham -based insolvency

practitioner confirmed his firm has been called in to advise on

liquidating the business. A meeting for shareholders and creditors has

been provisionally set up for next month. On a note, Jeff and his bride

did get married this weekend. -- on a good note.

Now, as we've seen recently, the location of the East Midlands makes

us an attractive location for distribution companies. But now it

seems our region is also attracting another rather more stylish group.

The heritage of the textile industry is encouraging fashion brands to

base themselves here. The latest has just opened in Leicestershire. Kylie

Pentelow found out. From intricate lace to expensive knitwear. The East

Midlands is known around the world for its textiles and clothing. And

it is that amazing heritage that is now attracting fashion companies

back to the East Midlands. Like this one, part of the Morrisons

supermarket group. They decided to put children's wear in their stores

and chose to share as their base. you go back to the industrial

revolution, and more recently clothing manufacturing, it plays a

large part in this area, but more recently there are some major

successful retailers in this area. So there is a pool of talent and

expertise that exists in this area. Table ready created 50 jobs here

with more to come. I have a vacancy at the moment assembly, I am looking

to recruit locally from college. Just up the road there is a pool of

talent. Here at Montfort University they are aware of how important

region is to the University. It is definitely because of the magnet --

track record, we have some important companies here, they attract

manufacturing and design houses to the East Midlands. It really is the

heart of the country as well, it is easily accessible from all parts of

the country and also from overseas, I think it is really important we

keep that manufacturing and design base here. The students here are now

completing their final pieces for the catwalk and it is hoped with

more companies turning the area into their home, it will give the East

Midlands at the cutting-edge of fashion. -- keep the East Midlands.

Sport now - and - for some of our football teams, the season's going

right to the wire. It's all set for a Nottingham Forest versus Leicester

decider on Saturday lunchtime. If results elsewhere go their way then

Forest or City will make the play offs. We begin our sport tonight

with exclusive access at Nottingham Forest, including Billy Davies's

dressing room rallying call. Natalie Jackson travelled with Forest to

Millwall. Down to business in the business

district. This is the most important game. We have got to make sure we

silenced the crowd and make sure we are in the good position. This is

crunch position, I guess. All we can do is do what we can, I am a great

believer in fate. A dream start really steadied nerves. It has taken

Forest only seven minutes to break through against Millwall! They were

back in the promotion picture. There was a tense finish, and if you heart

in mouth is. But how the's early winner was all that was needed to

take it to a nail-biting, dramatic showdown next weekend at home

against East Midlands rivals Leicester. You showed tremendous

spirit, your application was excellent, your energy was

excellent, your workrate was superb, and as a collective group, you have

got to be proud of that, it is a massive three points. It takes us

right into this last game. Now we are going into the last game,

everything to play for. I have got to say, you have been top-class,

absolutely top-class, well done. And if you want to see more of that,

go to the BBC iPlayer and you'll find it on last night's Late Kick

Off programme. They had two positives in the

championship team of the year, they have an awards night tonight but

don't want the campaign to end just yet. They know nothing short of

victory will do next week. Here at Leicester they are still

clinging onto their dreams of making the play-offs. The defeat to Watford

was a big blow, they found themselves two to zero down in the

first half. Both goals came in quick succession just before the break.

The second of which was pure class, and unstoppable thunderbolt of a

strike. To concede two goals before half-time really did psychologically

he does the six. But they did not go down without a fight, they pulled a

goal back in the second half. were left praying for an equaliser

was not to be. We have got to hope for a miracle, but football is weird

sometimes. All we can do now is try and go to Nottingham Forest and get

a win. If nothing else, for the fans and for professional pride. It truly

has been a roller-coaster season. The question is, will it end on a

high? At Derby County they've started

talks with midfielder Ben Davies about a new contract. His current

deal expires in the summer. But loanee Craig Forsyth is back at his

parent club Watford. They've recalled him for a possible play-off

campaign. Nothing like that sort of end of season excitement for the

Rams. They were disappointed with defeat at Blackpool - going behind

in the 18th minute. Ben Davies has been disappointed with finding

himself on the bench quite a bit this season - and made his point in

the best way midway through the second half. But in injury time,

just when the point seemed safe, Blackpool grabbed a goal - and

secured their place in the Championship too.

As expected Alan Judge is leaving Notts County. The midfielder can go

for free after three years with the Magpies. He signed off by playing 90

minutes in the home draw with Coventry. Notts went in front

through Tyrell Waite, but Coventry pulled level early in the second

half. The response from the the Magpies was swift - Krystian Pearce

restoring the lead, only to see the visitors get a late equaliser.

Mansfield Town will use Conference glory to push on in the Football

League - according to their Chairman John Radford. Yesterday, hundreds of

fans gathered outside the Stags stadium as the team kicked off an

open-top bus tour to celebrate their promotion to League Two. Fans were

there to cheer the team - and the club say the support's been amazing.

A big thank you to the fans who have supported us while we have been out

of league football. They have done a fantastic job getting is into the

league, hopefully brings Mansfield town out of the doldrums a bit.

Also celebrating, the Leicester Riders basketball team. They

finished their season by winning the Play Off Final at Wembley -

completing a remarkable treble of trophies. Even this early in the

game against their big rivals Newcastle, they were totally in

charge. Leicester never let go. They defended fiercely and scoring just

when they needed to. The final moments, an explosion of joy capping

the most wonderful season they have ever had. It is the third time this

year IM struggling for words, it is a long time coming, it is well

deserved for this team. All clubs need to build on success, they want

to build a new arena and grow their band of fans, all of that is for

tomorrow. Right now, they are still celebrating.

I hope they're winding the celebrations down a little because

tomorrow evening we'll have all the Riders' trophies - and their coach -

right here in the studio. Finally from me, some cricket.

Meanwhile Derbyshire have had an In recent years, Nottingham

musicians like Jake Bugg and the band 'Dog is Dead' have shot to

fame, winning both critical and commercial success. Now music

experts say they've noticed the city is attracting national attention as

a place to produce world talent. Our arts reporter Geeta Pendse has been

exploring Nottingham's rapidly changing music scene.

He has put Nottingham on the map with his lyrics and talent, but as

Jake Bugg also a product of a city gaining momentum as a music

producer. There are five band signed up to the record label set up three

years ago in the city. The head of label also runs his recording studio

and says it has never been busier. We now have acts coming from around

the country to make records here. Nottingham certainly, as a studio

owner, I have never known things to be so busy as they are. Nottingham

already has a number of established record labels who have achieved

success in their field, but what seems to be different is the sheer

bullying of artists making music in the city and what some experts say

is that local success is that local successes also feeding into career

aspirations. Nottingham is one of those places which is or has been a

hot pot of people doing what they want because they love it. I suppose

that attention proved of people doing what they want because they

love it. I suppose that attention proved to be bothered if support

seems key from local promoters. have been champions of new music.

have people sending in music, claiming to be from Nottingham, even

though they happen to be from Camden. So there is a feeling that

Nottingham is a real distinct music credibility? Absolutely, it is

definitely one of the places in the UK to be making music in an hailed

as a success. The music now appears to have a music kudos. -- the city

now appears to have a music kudos. Fashion, music, you name it, we do

it better than anyone else! Time for over the next few days, starting

tonight try and bright. Taking a look at the East Midlands, it is

largely clear. In the main, it will be a largely clear night, that means

that temperatures are going to drop as well. Down to about four Celsius,

that is your low overnight. We are talking cooler than that in all

sports. Tomorrow, it starts bright enough, when we see the cloud

sticking up, we might see the odd bit of rain. In the main, largely

bright day, largely dry day as well. The winds are dropping off as well.

As far as the radar goes, high pressure still very much the

dominant force as we go from Tuesday into Wednesday. Wednesday, a bit of

a sparkling day at times, Lindsay of sunshine. -- plenty of sunshine. The

temperatures will start to recover, dry and bright, into Thursday or

Friday. We will still see Singin unites to that point. Reflected in

the temperatures, it looks like it will be bright and sunny for the

next couple of days and some cloud creeping in but the temperatures

And finally, Nottingham's resident pair of peregrine falcons have

welcomed two brand new members into the family. The birds are nesting at

the top of Nottingham Trent University's Newton building in the

city centre. Staff from the environmental projects at the

university were fearing the worst due to the long, harsh winter. But